Napier Mayor Bill Dalton says the debate is divisive and bad for the region.
Napier Mayor Bill Dalton says the debate is divisive and bad for the region.
Hawke's Bay's anti-amalgamation mayors say they are becoming increasingly frustrated by the Local Government Commission's slow progress.
But with the commission saying yesterday an amalgamation update was a "few weeks" away, Hastings Mayor and amalgamation supporter Lawrence Yule disputed claims the delay on the commission's proposal to merge the region's five councils was fuelling divisions across the province.
The commission released a draft amalgamation proposal in November 2013 and, after consulting on the issues, issued an updated "position paper" 12 months later.
That was followed by a 2000-household telephone survey throughout the region two months ago which the commission said it would use as part of its decision making ahead of its next move, which is still awaited.
Napier Mayor Bill Dalton said yesterday the amalgamation debate was divisive and bad for the region.
"It's gone on far too long. With this still hanging over our heads, and with people in one camp or another, positive things are not happening," he said.
"Councils are not able to make a decision because they don't want to make a decision that might be inappropriate if there is going to be change.
"It's like trying to get on with your job with one foot stuck in concrete."
Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Peter Butler said the drawn-out debate was "tearing the province apart".
"It's getting to the crazy stage - the bickering that's going on between councils, and within families and between friends and workmates."
Wairoa Mayor Craig Little could not be reached for comment yesterday but has previously criticised the time the commission has taken over the proposal.
Mr Yule, the only mayor in the region to support the proposal, said while he hoped the commission would release an update soon, "I'm not stressing about it."
"I don't think the situation is getting more divisive. I just think people want to make a decision - that's where I sit, too. I just want to get to the point where the people of Hawkes' Bay can vote one way or the other, and the sooner we get to that point the better," he said.
Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Peter Butler says it is getting to the crazy stage.
A spokesman for the commission said yesterday: "The commissioners are working towards the Hawke's Bay decision and anticipate delivering it in the next few weeks."
The commission's options include releasing a "final proposal" which is then likely to become the subject of a regionwide referendum.
Alternatively the commission may decide to ditch its proposal if it decides there is a lack of "demonstrable community support" for amalgamation.
It also has the option to issue a new draft proposal, which would trigger a fresh round of consultation.
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule wants a decision made soon.
Mr Dalton said the longer the issues went on, the less attractive amalgamation looked because more evidence was emerging that the Auckland experience had not produced promised savings.
Mr Yule rejected that claim, saying Auckland's amalgamation had produced "massive cost savings".
The Auckland Council needed to fund decades of deferred transport infrastructure spending which was not a situation an amalgamated Hawke's Bay council would find itself in, he said.
What happens next? •Local Government Commission can issue final amalgamation proposal if there is "demonstrable community support". •Electors then have 60 working days to sign a petition demanding a poll. It will proceed if at least 10 per cent of registered electors in any existing council area sign the petition. •If a majority of voters in the poll oppose amalgamation, the current local government structure will be retained.
